Device uses video cues to prompt dementia sufferers

A new device to help people with dementia wash their hands has been developed by computing specialists at the University of Dundee. Developed in conjunction with the University of Toronto, the device, uses live video of the person washing their hands. If they forget which stage they are at it will prompt them with an audio or visual cue. Dr Jesse Hoey, who recently moved to the University of Dundee from Toronto, said hand washing was a very important problem in the development of technology for people with dementia. â€œOften they want to stay in their own home as long as possible, but they can only do that with help,â€ said Dr Hoey. â€œOf course, the bathroom is the one place where they really want some privacy, so we want to develop techniques to help them there. Toileting is a primary concern, but there are a lot of ethical issues when it comes to developing a device that watches a person on the toilet. â€œHand washing is a safe and simple alternative for research, that nevertheless presents many of the sa